Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sadiejane on March 24, 2011, 02:49:53 pm

Title: one more question-waterproofing rawhide
Post by: sadiejane on March 24, 2011, 02:49:53 pm

ok, havent left for the studio yet...
but was thinking about how i'm gonna waterproof the rawhide, once the bow is finished?
what do you guys use?
thanks again for all yr help

Title: Re: one more question-waterproofing rawhide
Post by: Bevan R. on March 24, 2011, 03:51:25 pm

What sort of finish are you going to put on the bow? Most will do the 'water proofing' for you.

Bevan R

Title: Re: one more question-waterproofing rawhide
Post by: sadiejane on March 24, 2011, 03:54:39 pm

what i've been using is an old swedish wood working formula.
2/3 beeswax warmed and mixed with 1/3 walnut oil.
have a tin already mixed, i warm it up and rub it in. and rub and rub and rub.
but i'm also gonna do a painted design on the rawhide.
thinking all that rubbing will possibly have a bad effect on the paint.

Title: Re: one more question-waterproofing rawhide
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 24, 2011, 09:53:21 pm

Plains people used the juice from smashed prickly pear cactus.  It will slightly yellow the rawhide after a few coats, but it makes a pretty good liquid water barrier and it is traditional.  However it is not a vapor barrier, but then you gotta get into some pretty fancy chemicals to get that.